diff --git a/version/machine_id.go b/version/machine_id.go
index bc8404be..17284943 100644
--- a/version/machine_id.go
+++ b/version/machine_id.go
@@ -2,9 +2,12 @@ package version
 
 import (
 	"github.com/denisbrodbeck/machineid"
-	"github.com/murphysecurity/murphysec/utils/must"
 )
 
 func MachineId() string {
-	return must.A(machineid.ProtectedID("murphysec"))
+	s, e := machineid.ProtectedID("murphysec")
+	if e != nil {
+		return "<NoMachineID>"
+	}
+	return s
 }